Retail footfall down despite return of shoppers after heatwave
High street footfall was down 3.1% year on year, an improvement on July’s 3.8% decline when shoppers sheltered from the heat at home. Source link
All posts tagged: British Retail Consortium
July heatwave keeps shoppers at home in blow for high street
Total UK footfall was down 2.1% year-on-year in July amid soaring temperatures, figures suggest. Source link
Business says new Labour plan ‘regulates flexible work out of existence’ | Personal Finance | Finance
Peter Kyle, the business secretary, has been asked to tone down the new plans (Image: Getty) The Government should not regulate flexible jobs “out of existence” with reforms which will scrap zero-hours contracts, retail industry leaders have warned. Last week, ministers laid out details for proposals which could ensure guaranteed hours for workers. It started a consultation over potential new rules which would require employers to offer staff on zero hours or short hours contracts a minimum number of hours each week on regular working hours. The consultation on how to implement the changes, which are due to come into effect next year, flagged that the Government would prefer workers to be guaranteed a minimum of between eight and 20 hours per week, if current contracts are at or below that level. More than 1 million people in the UK are working on a zero-hours contract basis – where a worker is not guaranteed a minimum number of working hours – in areas ranging from working in pubs and restaurants to warehouses and hospitals. Peter …
Retail sales ‘tepid’ as Middle East conflict raises consumer caution
Total retail sales increased by 3.6% year on year in March, driven up by the early Easter boosting an increase in food sales to 6.8%. Source link
Retail bosses warn of cuts to staff hours due to employment costs | Personal Finance | Finance
Retailers are looking to cut staff hours (Image: Getty) Industry bosses have warned that rising employment costs are pushing retailers to consider reducing staff hours and in some cases cutting jobs entirely. New research from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shows that 61% of retail finance directors and CFOs (chief financial officers) plan to cut employee hours or overtime. Many are also exploring reductions in head office and shop-floor roles to manage increasing costs. Last year, employment costs for retailers rose by £5 billion due to higher employer National Insurance contributions and a rise in the National Living Wage, making the cost of a full-time, entry-level worker 10% higher, according to the BRC. Another National Living Wage increase of 4.1% is scheduled for April this year. READ MORE: Major UK supermarket announces closure of three stores next week READ MORE: Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi opening new UK stores – full list of 54 locations Retail employment costs increased by £5 billion in 2025 (Image: Getty) The sector lost 74,000 jobs last year, leaving 2.76 …